Kota Kinabalu: A businessman has lodged a police report against two local Chinese dailies and two individuals bearing the title “Datuk”, for allegedly spreading false information and unethical reporting.
Andrew Chew Taw En, who holds 20 per cent stake in a licensed money-lending business, said he was forced to come forward after being portrayed as a “troublemaker” in reports involving paint splashing and alleged forced entry into a business premises in the city.
Advertisement
He denied the allegations and said he had, in fact, lodged two reports on Jan 14 and 15 stating that he only visited the premises to check on the accounts of a business in which he is a shareholder, after being denied access to the company since October 2024 without explanation.
“This is my legal right as a shareholder. I was not vandalising any premises, and I did not lock anyone inside. Those reports were false and defamatory,” he told a press conference outside the City police station, Thursday.
Andrew said the latest report was filed over a more serious incident involving alleged misinformation about the Prime Minister’s attendance at a dinner at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) on Nov. 8, 2025.
According to him, two Datuks had circulated leaflets and posted videos on Facebook claiming the Prime Minister would attend the dinner, despite the event not being in the Prime Minister’s official itinerary.
He said the official Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Facebook page issued a statement the same day confirming that the PM would not be attending the event. Yet the two papers still reported that the Prime Minister would be present.
“As a result, about 1,500 people from the Chinese community went to the dinner expecting to meet the Prime Minister. He did not attend because it was never scheduled. These people were deceived,” he said.
Andrew said 30 individuals, comprising employees and fellow shareholders connected to his business, were involved in making reports related to the matter.
He further alleged that the two papers repeatedly given prominent and favourable coverage to the same two Datuks, including reports that the Prime Minister had personally encouraged one of them to work hard for the Sabah election, claims that were not reported by other media organisations.
He also claimed that one of the Datuks has an ongoing criminal breach of trust case and that such media coverage could indirectly influence public perception and ongoing legal proceedings.
Andrew sought advice from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which advised him to lodge a police report and proceed with a formal complaint.
“I was told to let the authorities investigate. That is why I did not approach the newspapers for clarification. Let MCMC and the police handle this,” he said.
He said the report was made under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers improper use of network facilities, including the dissemination of false information intended to mislead or cause harm.
Andrew stressed that his objective was not political but to clear his name and to demand fair and factual reporting.
“I am not a rioter. I am an investor seeking justice. Media should report facts, not act as spokespersons for individuals with personal interests. If anyone says I am making false accusations, they are free to take me to court. I am prepared with evidence,” he said.
